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Longoria sets rookie mark as Rays drub Indians

Aug 6, 2008 - 4:27 AM ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Ticker) -- It took a record-breaking night from All-Star Evan Longoria, but the Tampa Bay Rays finally broke through against the Cleveland Indians.

Longoria broke the franchise rookie record for most home runs in a season as the Tampa Bay Rays ended a five-game losing streak to the Cleveland Indians with an 8-4 victory Tuesday.

Cliff Floyd and Dioner Navarro added back-to-back homers as the Rays won for only the fourth time in their last 24 games against the Indians.

The Rays improved to 12-6 since the All-Star break and maintained a three-game lead over the Boston Red Sox atop the American League East.

"We needed this," Tampa Bay right fielder Gabe Gross said. "They have an awfully talented group. After getting a win after five straight losses, it's big-time."

With Tampa Bay leading, 4-3, Longoria, Floyd and Navarro all homered in the seventh inning as the Rays built an 8-3 lead.

Longoria's home run off Rafael Betancourt was his 22nd of the season, breaking the Rays' rookie record set by Jonny Gomes in 2005. Ironically, Gomes was optioned to Class AAA Durham before the game.

"Longo's at-bat was really spectacular," Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said. "He hit four balls in that at-bat, including the home run, that could've been homers."

Two batters after Longoria's home run, Floyd hit a solo homer off Betancourt. Juan Rincon replaced Betancourt and promptly surrendered the home run to Navarro, who finished with three RBI, including a two-run single.

"What makes us win is pitching and defense," Floyd said. "And timely hitting. We got the monkey off our backs with the Indians. We'll take this one and run."

Edwin Jackson (8-7) allowed seven hits and three runs in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out four and walked four.

"The bullpen was big," Jackson said. "They came in and did a great job."

"I wasn't getting the first pitch for a strike," Carmona said. "It has been difficult to get into a groove."

Indians starter Fausto Carmona (5-4) gave up four runs on only three hits in four innings. He walked five and struck out four.

Jhonny Peralta's two-run homer in the third gave Cleveland a 3-1 lead, but the Rays rallied for a 4-3 lead in the fourth on Navarro's single and Gross' RBI triple.

"It (the game) was annoying," Cleveland manager Eric Wedge said. "We played a four-hour game, left 13 on, we had the lead early, got multiple opportunities to take the lead back or at least tie the ballgame and squandered those opportunities. It was a frustrating ballgame to say the least."